A big part of determining intent can be derived from the result, though. It's not a perfect relationship, but it's not non-existent. I don't know if you've ever been in a fight, and I haven't since I was a kid, but there's definitely a difference in the effectiveness of a punch when you specifically want to knock someone out vs. lashing out when you're frustrated. It's not that hard to hit Incognito's head with a helmet from a foot away. The fact that Smith missed is important because it lends credence to his comments that his action was made as a symbolic gesture of frustration and not with an intent to hit him.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Antonio Smith has been suspended for the final two preseason games and from the first regular-season game <a href="http://t.co/0IhNLT4dd9">http://t.co/0IhNLT4dd9</a></p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/statuses/370229420457353216">August 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> In the first quarter of last Saturday’s game against Miami, Smith forcibly removed the helmet of Dolphins guard Richie Incognito and then swung the helmet at Incognito in an attempt to strike him with it. This action violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 16 (page 71) of the NFL Rule Book, which states: “A player may not use a helmet that is no longer worn by anyone as a weapon to strike, swing at, or throw at an opponent.” Broke a rule and he must pay the price. See you week two.
Agreed. Yes, Inognito goaded him. Yes, Incognito is a complete douche. Yes, he missed with his swing. But he swung it at the player, no doubt. Clear violation of the rules, whether he connected with the swing or not. Smith has to be smarter than that. But just once, in one of these instances, I'd like to see the league come back with some punishment for the player who goaded the response. Incognito was playing dirty, and deserves to be b****-slapped. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
Except the "price" is completely arbitrary, and the NFL essentially went back on its decision twice because of Goodell's paranoia over bad PR in the area of "player safety". I think Smith will have a shot with his appeal. Not a great shot, but it's not a formality, either. He was able to significantly reduce his fine a year ago on appeal, and given the league's indecision on handling this case, he has an angle. Also, on a related note, Jerome Solomon had a great article in the Chronicle today about this being far from the first time a helmet has been swung at another player. Needless to say, in the prior incidents he dug up, there were no suspensions. Typical Goodell PR bull****. http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexan...-the-first-player-to-swing-a-helmet-at-a-foe/
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a> GM Rick Smith expressed disappointment in Antonio Smith's actions, but said the team will support and participate in the appeal.</p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/statuses/370268776291631104">August 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"They’ll give us some fair opportunities to give our side. I think we’ve got a legitimate case to present," <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a> GM on Antonio's appeal</p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/statuses/370269060900323328">August 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I understand that I just didn't think it would be 3 games. I guess the preseason doesn't really count though. Andre may not have swung a helmet but he sure did connect a couple of times. Has Smith done something like this before? Edit: I guess I overlooked his past.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Antonio Smith's appeal turned down. Suspension stands including 1st game of regular season.</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/370939185672118272" data-datetime="2013-08-23T11:02:48+00:00">August 23, 2013</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Damn, knew there wasn't much of a chance to change anything. Since he did swing the helmet. Oh well, lost his cool. Pay the price.
i wasn't expecting for the league to go back on their stance, but I was expecting them to suspend incognito for being a, well, incognito.
Cool, now let's just move on. We should still beat SD without Smith, so ultimately this won't matter. Unintended consequence - maybe this plus the Swearinger hit gives our defense a little intimidation factor? Not saying I condone dirty play, but if it gives one more thing for opposing offenses to think about, maybe it's a good thing? Remember just a few years ago when we were all complaining about the Texans being a team full of nice guys?
I think the underlying problem was that preseason games aren't paid and no one wants to play in them anyway. So suspending him for 2 preseason games isn't a punishment at all - if anything, it's a reward. Saves him a lot of work at no cost. I'm not sure how often people get suspended during the preseason, but it seems to me that you have to make it a regular season punishment to have any sort of credibility.
they want to make sure he learns his lesson.. but this 1 game punishment amounts to a fee of a lil over 350k... which is an insane amount. i dont agree with it but what can u do.
I don't think it's reasonable to disagree with a one-game season suspension. He clearly did something wrong and Incognito encouraging it doesn't mitigate the fact that he swung a helmet at someone. Andre Johnson swung a fist which you can't compare to a helmet. It's much easier to do damage with one of those helmets if you aren't squared up.
http://deadspin.com/report-richie-i...ource=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow Kind of makes you wish Antonio didn't miss when he swung his helmet at him.
